augmented reality

Microsoft's most impressive and strange project right this minute is the augmented reality headset "HoloLens." This headset was first introduced back in January at the big Windows 10 event. We've had the opportunity this week to go hands-on and eyes-on with the newest iteration of this once-tethered headset at BUILD 2015, Microsoft's developer conference, and have produced one massive hands-on feature. For those of you wish a slightly shorter attention span, there's the article you're reading right now. This is Understanding HoloLens in 5 steps.

Back in January, HoloLens was a Frankenstein’s monster of a headset. In fact, the eyepiece itself was only part of the test rig: the rest was conspicuously tethered to it with a physical cable hooked up to a Windows 10 PC. To say there’s been a dramatic shift in hardware in the ninety days or so since then is an understatement. Microsoft brought a fleet of HoloLens prototypes to BUILD 2015, each of them a standalone computer, eyepiece, sensor rig, and spatial sound system all integrated into a single headset, and offered me the opportunity to see what creating a Windows Holographic experience was like.

We talked quite a bit about the Microsoft HoloLens goggles yesterday. We took a bit of a look at the hardware inside the headset and liked the fact that the HoloLens needed no wires to work. HoloLens is a headset that will support Windows 10 applications running directly inside the device.

Earlier this month, a new VR headset called the Impression Pi surfaced on Kickstarter, and with it comes some unique features like 3D gesture control and position tracking, as well as mixing together both augmented and virtual reality into the same headset. Though the Kickstarter campaign is still underway, it has exceeded its goal amount more than twice over, and as a result has shown the device more thoroughly, including improvements to features like AR position tracking and the aforementioned 3D gesture recognition.

Microsoft dropped jaws when it revealed HoloLens back in January, but today it showed how Windows Holographic will embed the augmented reality headset into homes, offices, and schools. HoloLens will run universal Windows 10 and project them into the real world around people, whether that be a virtual picture frame on the wall next to a virtual TV screen for video, or even a digital dog. Meanwhile, businesses are already looking at how to bring HoloLens holograms into their workflow.

Augmented and virtual reality headsets are booming right now with several different devices on the market trying to separate geeks from their money. Another VR headset has turned up called the Impression PI and it has some interesting features. The Impression PI is wireless and has 3D gesture control, position tracking, and combines VR and augmented reality into one device.

BMW's Mini division just revealed its latest concept gadget, a pair of augmented reality glasses, at the Auto Shanghai show. Mini Augmented Vision is a new pairing of AR technology and driving. The design looks like a cross between aviator specs and actual aviation goggles and is capable of providing a variety of information in un-obstructive, see-through displays. The AR glasses are the result of a collaboration between BMW's DesignworksUSA and Qualcomm.

Just after Sony unveiled its SmartEyeglass augmented-reality glasses a few months ago, it was quickly labeled by tech media and critics as dorky, unfashionable, and tacky. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), Sony has decided to press ahead in the wake of the Google Glass experiment and release the headgear in 10 countries, starting this week. Labeled as a Developer Edition, the SED-E1 SmartEyeglass will set lucky purchasers back a steep $840. Just don't expect people to jealous of how cool you look while wearing it.

Late last year, Google invested in a company called Magic Leap, which aimed to bring augmented reality to us on a broader scale. The promise was neat, and the tech sounds the part, so we’ve been quietly anticipating what Magic Leap might bring us. A video, posted today, shows how Magic Leap plans to implement augmented reality into our lives. Using the familiar medium of gaming, Magic Leap is showing off something they’re working on. You can see the full video below, and trust us — you’ll want to.

People love to take selfies and lots of people use products that make it easier to take selfies like the much maligned selfie stick. If you want to get really high tech with your selfie staking, a new drone called the ELF VRdrone can take selfies for you from the air. The small flying drone can also take pictures of other things if you are so inclined.